Bebop1940 - 1955

Recording BanJazz was big business – Benny Goodman, Glen Miller , Duke Ellington, Count Basie

1 August 1942 American Federation of Musicians Strike.

1943 Ellington premiered Black, Brown & Beige

1944 Norman Granz promoted his Jazz at the Philharmonic.

BeBop MusiciansCharlie Chrisitan – Guitar

Jimmy Blanton – Bass

Jo Jones & Kenny Clarke - Drums

Charlie Parker – Alto Saxophone

Dizzy Gillespie – Trumpet

Thelonious Monk – Piano

Dexter Gordon – Tenor Saxophone

Rhythm section Characteristics of BebopDrums play an individual role. Not just keeping time, become more a part of the ensemble.

Walking bass lines in 4 crotchet beats instead of 2.

Tempos are faster, and slower.

Sparser piano comping (short for accompanying) and use of more open, “shell” like voicings.

Simpler arrangements (head arrangements)

Melodic Characteristics of BebopMelodies (written & improvised) predominantly quavers, or “8th notes”

More angular melodies, i.e unusual leaps

The use of chord extensions – 9ths, 11ths & 13th

The use of dissonance, such as chromatic passing tones, particularly #5 and Maj 7ths.

Beginning and ending phrases in unusual places.

Double time feels and more complex rhythmic groupings – 5, 6, 7’s, etc.

Charlie Parker

John Birks “Dizzy” Gillespie

Miles Davis

“A Great Day In Harlem”